Coffee & Common Grounds

There are seasons when life feels misaligned — like something inside is not functioning the way God designed. This season of being “Out of Order” reminds us that spiritual disorder does not happen all at once. It happens slowly, subtly, when we begin absorbing the world’s confusion instead of God’s truth.

Pauls words in 2 Corinthians 13:5 speak directly into this moment: “Examine yourselves…test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you faith the test?”

This isn’t a threat.
It’s an invitation.
A reminder.
A wake-up call wrapped in grace.

The first part of the verse calls us to look inward. The second part calls us to look upward.

“Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you………?”

This is the heart of the verse. Isn’t Paul saying you’re not examining yourself to see how strong you are. You’re examining yourself to see how surrendered you are. Because the power to live “in order” doesn’t come from discipline long —- it comes from Christ in you.

If Christ is in you:
You have strength to resist deception.
You have access to clarity in a confused world.
You have identity that cannot be shaken.
You have truth that anchors you when culture shifts.

But Paul adds a sobering line: “……unless, of course, you fail the test.” Failing the test doesn’t mean God rejects you. It means you have drifted into living as if Christ were not in you.

It means:
You are operating in your own strength.
You are absorbing the world’s disorder.
You are believing lies about who you are.
You are letting culture define what only God can define.

Our world is out of order because it is under the wrong influence. But the believe becomes out of order when they forget WHO LIVES WITHIN THEM.

The test isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. Is Christ ruling your thoughts, your choices, our identity, your priorities?

When we pause long enough to examine our hearts we discover that God isn’t pointing out disorder to shame us — He is revealing it so He can restore it.

A Prayer for Today —

“Lord, search my heart. Show me any place where I am living out of order. Remind me that Christ lives IN me. Realign my thoughts, my identity, and my desires with Your truth. Bring Your order into every part of my life. In Your Precious name I pray, Amen and Amen.”

And He will.
Because the One who lives in you is faithful to bring order where there has been confusion and peace where there has been unrest.

Music Creations by Don Stabe/House of Asaph